Crating machine



Dec. 12, 1939. H. D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE Filed Aug. l0, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 12, 1939.

H. D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1937 11 Sheets-sheet 2 www? ATTORNEY mc.. V12, 1939.

H. D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE 1l Sheets-Sheet 3 m QN. S/ m INVENTOR STEVENS Filed Aug. 1o, 1937 A ORNEY ec. H2, E939. n H. D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE Filed Aug. l0, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 ENToR Srsnws 2975 Mae/sce ATTORNEY Dec. l2, 1939. H. D. STEVENS C'RATING MACHINE Filed Aug. lO, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Q Mm INVENTOR )yale/:c5 D. STEVE/v3 ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1939. H. D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE Filed Aug. lO, 1937 ll SheetS-Sheetl 6 LII INVENTOR /Mcs Sieve/vs Arronz;

Dec. 12, 1939. H. D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE l F-ileld Aug. l0, 193'? ll Sheets-Shee 7 ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1939. H, D. STEVENS I 2,182,905

CRAT ING MACHINE Filed Aug. l0, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTO RN EY Dec. 12, 1939. v H D. STEVENS 2,182,905

@RATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1o, 1937 11 sheets-sheet 9 1451: +5 45 v//u'l ATTO RN EY Dec. 12, 1939. H. D. STEVENS 2,182,905

CRATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 X7 ATTORNEY INVENTOR Dec. 12, 1939. H, D. STEVENS CRATING MACHINE Filed Aug. ]'.O, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet ll VENTOR AGR/ive S'rsvgms ATTO RN EY Patented Dee, 12, 1939 CRATING MACHINE Horace D. Stevens, Akron, Ohio, assigner, by mesne assignments, to The Firestone Tire &` Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 10,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to crating machines, and more especially it relates to apparatus for mounting a succession of articles in a crate or container in laterally spaced relation to each other.

The invention is of primary utility for crating storage battery plates during the manufacture thereof. Such plates are made in pairs, and consist of grid-like lead plates, the apertures of which are filled With a paste of lead oxide. Said paste subsequently is dried in suitable ovens provided for this purpose, the pasted plates being suspended, in laterally spaced relation, in open crates as the latter are conveyed through said ovens. The crating machine constituting the subject matter of this invention preferably is positioned between the plate-pasting apparatus and the drying ovens, so that it may receive the plates directly from the pasting apparatus, mount the plates properly in crates, and then deliver the filled crates to a suitable conveyor for carrying them through 4the drying ovens.

The chief objects of the invention are to provide improved apparatus for automatically racking pasted storage battery plates in crates; to provide for mounting the plates in suspended position; to prevent pendulous movementv of the plates as they are conveyed through the apparatus and suspended in the crates; and to provide for synchronizing the movement of the plates and crates so that the latter will be completely and uniformly filled. Other objects will be manifest as the specification proceeds.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete machine embodying thel invention, in its preferred form, the Work therein being indicated in broken lines;

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof, on a larger scale, as viewed from the right of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional planeview, on a larger scale, on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan View, on a larger scale, of the left end of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, the same being the Work-receiving end of the machine, the adjacent end of a grid-pasting machine being indicated in broken lines.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; 1

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a detail side elevation, on a larger scale, of the upper part of the machine, at the 1937, Serial N0. 158,333

Figure 9 is an enlarged'sectional view on the. line 9-9 of Figure 10 showing in detail themech# anism that places the pasted plates in a crate;

Figure 10 is a section on the line Ill-I0 of Figure 9;

Figure 1l is a section on the'v line II-II of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a section, on a larger scale, on the line I2-I2 of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a sectionon the line VI3-I3 4of Figure 7;

vFigures 7 and 8;

Figure 15 is a section, on a larger scale, on the line I5--I5 of Figure 2;

Figure 16 is a section, on a larger scale, on the line lli-I6 of Figure 15; and

Figure 17 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 10 showing a different setting of the platee conveying instrumentalities for pasted plates'of a different size, and showing a crate of modified.

construction.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the improved crating'machine comprises an open i delivery end of a grid pasting machine indicatedy in broken lines by the rollers I4, I4, so as to receive paste-coated battery plates I5, I5 in succession frorn the latter. The conveyor I2 supports a succession of crates I8, I6, and is intermittently driven so as to feed said crates to the delivery end of the machine. is positioned intermediate the delivery end of conveyor II and the leading crate I6 and is constantly driven so as to take successive plates I5 The conveyor I3 from the delivery end of conveyor II and to de posit said plates, in orderly arrangement, in said leading crate I6. As is shown most clearly in Figures 10, 12. 13 and 14, each battery platey l5 is formed with laterally projecting ears at its upper margin, and the conveyor Il consists of a pair of parallel chains upon which said ears may rest, the conveyor thereby pendulously supporting the plates between the chains.

Each chain of the conveyor I I is provided with a series of' spaced apart lugs I8, I8, the lugs on one chain being transversely aligned with the lugs on the other chain. The lugs I8 are of trilio` angular shape and are so positioned on the chain as to project upwardly from the upper reach of the latter. The machine is arranged to handle battery plates of different widths, and to this end means is provided for positioning the chains of respective conveyors I I and I3 different distances apart from each other. With respect to conveyor II, such means comprises elongate plates I9, I9 that are mounted upon longitudinally extending portions of the frame Ill, at opposite sides thereof, as is best shown in Figures 4, l2, and 13, said plates being secured to the latter by suitable bolts 20, 20 that extend through transversely disposed slots in said framework, to permit lateral adjustment of said plates. Secured to. the under side of each plate I9, adjacent the ends thereof nearest the work-receiving end of the machine, are respective brackets 2l, 2I each formed with a female screw thread, the framework Il! being suitably cut away to accommodate said brackets, Mounted upon the framework II), at opposite sides thereof and in axial alignment with brackets 2| are respective brackets 22, 22. J ournaled in the latter is a shaft 23 that has its intermediate region formed with right and left hand screw threads 24, 24 that are threaded through the respective brackets ZI.` One end of shaft 23 is squared at 25 to receive a suitable crank (not shown) by which the shaft manually may be turned, the opposite end of the shaft being provided with a sprocket 25.

In like manner the respective plates IS are provided, adjacent their opposite ends, with respective brackets 28 (Figure 13) that receive right and left hand screw threads 3G, 3l) formed on a shaft 3| that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in brackets 32, 32 secured to the framework I0. One end of shaft 3l is squared at 33 to receive a suitable crank, the other end of the shaft being provided with a sprocket 34 that is connected by a sprocket chain 35 with sprocket 26 on shaft 23. The arrangement is such that the rotating of either shaft 23 or 3l will move the plates I9 laterally toward or away from each other, when the bolts 20 are loosened, said bolts when tightened retaining the plates xedly in position.

The ends of the plates I 3 that are at the workreceiving end of the machine carry respective journal brackets 31, and journaled in each of the latter is a stub shaft 38, the adjacent ends of the latter being provided with respective sprockets 39. The opposite end portions of the plates I9 carry respective journal brackets Il@ (Figure 13), and mounted upon the framework I, in axial alignment with each of the latter is a journal bracket liI. In each pair of brackets 40, 4I is journaled a shaft 11.2, the adjacent ends of which carry respective sprockets d3. The two sprocket chains that constitute the conveyor II are each carried by a sprocket 39 and a sprocket 43. The outer end of each shaft 42 is slid'ably mounted for axial movement in a sprocket Ml to which it is keyed so as to be driven thereby, said sprockets 15d being engaged in respective forked brackets 45 that are mounted upon the framework IB and prevent axial movement of said sprockets. The arrangement permits the shafts i2 to be driven in all positions of lateral adjustment of the plates I9.

For driving shafts 42, the sprockets [It thereon are connected, by respectivesprocket chains lil, with sprockets 48, 48 mounted upon opposite ends of an upper counter-shaft 49 that is journaled in bearing brackets 5i?, 5) secured to an upright portion of framework I0, near the workdelivery end thereof. Adjustable idler sprockets 5I, 5I engaging the respective chains 4'! are provided for maintaining the latter in taut condition. The upper countershaft 49 also carries a sprocket 52 that is connected by a sprocket chain 53 with a sprocket 54 mounted upon a lower countershaft 55, the latter being journaled in bearing brackets 56, 56 mounted upon framework Ill near the bottom thereof. An 4adjustable idler sprocket 57 keeps chain 53 in taut condition. Also mounted upon countershaft 55 is a sprocket 58 connected by a sprocket chain 53 with a sprocket GQ on the drive shaft 3l of a gear reduction unit $2 mounted below the framework I0. Said unit 62 is direct-connected to a power unit, specifically a motor the latter being equipped with the usual magnetic brake G4. The arrangement is such that the motor drives countershaft 55 at a speed of 35 R'. P. M. The countershaft 55 may also carry a sprocket 65 with which the sprocket chain 59 alternatively is engageable for driving said countershaft at a speed of 'l0 R. P. M. l

The conveyor II moves at greater speed than the pasting machine so that it is important that the grid plates I5 be fully clear of the rolls` I4 of said pasting machine before they are engaged by said conveyor II. To this end guide plates 68, 63 (Figures 4 and 5) are positioned to hold the ears of the grids off the chains of conveyor II until such time as the grids are out of the nip of rolls Iii. Lateral guides 69, 59 also are provided for centering the grids relatively ol the conveyor. A pair of obliquely disposed ngers l0, E0 are mounted upon a transverse support il that is secured to framework lil, the free ends of said fingers being positioned adjacent the surface of lower roll I 4 and adapted to support the trailing ends of plates I5 as the ears thereof are engaged `by conveyor Ii, thus preventing pendulous movement of said plates. Supported by the fingers 1I), intermediate the same, is a rod 12 that extends obliquely downwardly with a gradual incline, said rod being so positioned as to engage in a medial notch in the lower margin of the grid plates, so that as the grid plates are drawn longitudinally thereof they gradually assume a vertical position. Mounted upon the top of each adjustable plate I9 is a pair of angular brackets 1li, lli, each pair of which supports a rail 'I5 that is positioned beneath a chain ofthe conveyor i I to prevent said chain from sagging. The friction of the chains of conveyor II is sufficient to draw the grid plates over the rod 12, the lugs I3 serving the purpose of subsequently straightening the plates on the conveyor, if they are not properly positionedl thereon, as presently will be explained.

The conveyor I2 which supports the crates i6 comprises a pair of transmission chains that are provided at spaced points longitudinally thereof with lugs TI, l1, said lugs projecting upwardly on the upper reach of the chains and being adapted for driving engagement with the crates Il, the lugs on one chain being in transverse alignment with the lugs on the other chain. The conveyor several of the crates i3, the` latter being manually placed thereon in end to end relation. The crate-loading region of conveyor I 2 is disposed below conveyor II, and at this end of the conveyor I2 the chains thereof are carried upon respective sprockets 18, 'I8 that are mounted upon a transverse shaft 19, the latter being journaled at its respective ends in bearing brack- I2 is of sufficient length to receive.

ets 80, that are adjustably mounted upon framework I0 so that the chains may be maintained in taut condition. At the other end of conveyor I2, which is the delivery'end thereof, the conveyor chains are carried upon respective sprockets 8|, 8| that are keyed upon an intermittently operated drive shaft 82, the latter extending transversely of the machine and being journaled in bearing brackets 83, 83 (see Figure 2) carried by the framework I0. Between sprockets I8 and 8| the upper reaches of the conveyor chains are supported upon respective rails 84, which rails are carried by a series of transverse supporting rods85, 85 that have their ends engaged in respective side plates 86,

06. The latter are carried by a plurality of an. guiar, upstanding brackets 8l, 8l that are supported by the framework I0, at opposite sides thereof. Said brackets also carry a pair of vertically adjustable, horizontally disposed, elongate plates 88, 88, which plates are disposed laterally each side of conveyor I2, a little above the chains thereof, and constitute a support and slideway for the crates I6 as the latter are propelled by the conveyor I2. The brackets 8l also carry a pair of guide rails 89, 80 that are positioned above the slide-plates 88 and somewhat laterally thereof, said guide rails effecting approximate centering of the crates I8 which are positioned between them.

It is important that the crates I6 be accurately positioned laterally while the grid plates I5 are being mounted therein. To this end the guide rails 89 have their inner margins somewhat cut away or recessed in the loading region, as is best shown at 9|, 9|, Figures 3 and 8, and othermeans provided for centering the crates in this region.

Said other means-comprises a pair of horizontal, parallel, guide-plates 92, 93 arranged on opposite sides of the course of the crates and so positioned that their adjacent margins engage opposite sides of the crates near the top thereof, one of said guide plates being yieldingly mounted and normally urged towards the other. The guide plate 92 is mountedupon the outer ends of a pair of spindles 94, 94 that are adjustably mounted in a pair of brackets 95, 95, the latter being integrally connected by an elongate angle-structure 98 that is secured to the frame I0. The guide plate 93 is mounted upon the outer ends of a pair of spindles 91, 91 that are slidably mounted in respective brackets 98, 98 that are integrally connected by an angle structure 99 that is secured to framework I0. Compression springs |00 mounted upon spindles 91 between thefguide plate 93 and brackets 98 normally urge said guide plate 93 toward guide plate 92, outward movement of spindles 91 being limited by suitable nuts on the rear ends thereof. The arrangement is such that the guide plates 92, 93 yieldingly maintain the crates I9 in proper position upon the conveyor I2, and they also serve as brakes to prevent l movement of the crates relatively of the conrespective ears formed on the upper corners of the grid plates I5. each crate and extending longitudinally thereof is a centrally positioned channel |04 that has its leg portions upwardly extended and formed with notches |05 that are in transverse alignment with thenotches I03inthe top of the crate. Notches |05 receive the lower marginal portions of grid plates I5 that are mounted in the crates. By engaging said grid plates at top and bottom, pendulous movement thereof is prevented, and contact of adjacent plates is avoided. The notches |03, |05 are so disposed as to make a continuous, uniformly spaced succession throughout a succession of crates that abut end to end, whereby the operation of loading the crates may be continuous. The bottom of each crate is' notched or recessed atheach end so asalternatively'to receive two pairs of conveyor lugs I'I that propel the crate, the arrangement permitting the crates toV be mounted upon the conveyor with either `end foremost.

The chains of conveyor I2 intermittently are advanced a determinate distance by means actuated by the grid plates I5 as the latter are fed to the crate I6 in plate-receiving position, the distance traversed by each advancing move being the same as the distance between adjacent notches |03 and between notches |05. To this end one end of' shaft 82 is extended laterally of framework I0 and provided thereupon with a ratchet disc |08. portion of shaft 82 is a lever comprising arms |09, |09 that are positioned on opposite sides of ratchet |08, and carry between them, at one end thereof, a spring-pressed pawl ||0 that is in engagement with the teeth of ratchet |08. Pivotally connected to the opposite endof lever-.arms |09l is a pitman I I I. that comprises a turnbuckle II2 by which the length thereof maybe suitably adjusted. The other end of pitman is pivotlally connected to a crank pin II3 of a one-revolution clutch, Figures 15 and 16, which clutch comprises a body structure II4 that carries said crank pin, the latter being adjustable in said body by means of adjusting screw |I5 to the end that the crank pin may be positioned at various degrees of eccentricity with relation to the axis of said clutch body. The clutch body I I4 is journaled uponA the adjacent end portion of constantly-driven shaft 55, and upon the end `of the latter, interiorly of the clutch body, is

mounted a one-tooth clutch disc IIG. At one Journaled upon said projectingl Mounted in the bottom of region the clutch body is slotted at l'I to expose the perimeter and tooth of disc I I5, and mounted in said slot is a pawl IIB 4that is pivoted at its middle upon said clutch body. A compression spring II9 carried by the latter normally urges the nose of the pawl toward the disc IIG. The opposite end of the pawl is disposed exteriorly of the clutch body, in position to be depressed, against the pressure of spring ||9, to lift the pawl out of engagement with the tooth of disc Extending into the orbit of the outer end of pawl II8 is a hook-like finger IZI adapted to engage the said end of the pawl to depress the same and thereby to open the driving connection between the shaft 55 and clutch body II4, as is most clearly shown in Figure 15. A tension spring |22 connected to said finger and to a fixed point normally urges the finger toward this position. The nger I2I is mounted upon oneend of a rock shaft |23 that also carries a lever |24, Figures 2 and 3, the latter having its free end pivotally connected to the movable element of a solenoid |25. Operation of the latter is con- 'trolled by a switch |26, Figures 'l and 11i, that is closed momentarily by means presently to be described. Actuation of the solenoid causes the 'clutch lill to make one revolution, with the result that the lever |59 makes one oscillation and the ratchet |58 is moved angularly the distance f one tooth. This turns shaft 82 and advances the chains of conveyor |2 a distance equal to the space between adjacent notches |53 or |55 in the crates i on said conveyor. 'I'hat end of shaft 82 that carries ratchet |58 also carries a handwheel |2'| by which the shaft may be manually rotated, upon occasion, such as at the beginning of operation. rlhe opposite end of shaft 32 carries a brake drum |28 that is engaged by a spring-drawn brake band |29, the arrangement preventing over-run of the shaft as it is periodically indexed by the pawl and ratchet.

The conveyor I3 comprises a pair of parallel sprocket chains that are driven in the direction indicated by the arrows, and each chain carries spaced-apart pairs of fingers lili, |3| that projectupwardly from the upper reach of the chains and downwardly from the lower reach thereof. The said fingers of one chain. are transversely aligned with the fingers of the other chain, and the leading finger of each pair is pivotally mounted so that it may tilt rearwardly, the other finger of each pair being xedly mounted on the chain. Associated with the conveyor i3 is a slideway consisting of a pair of parallel,4 oblique rails |52, |32 that are so positioned at the deliveryend of conveyor H as to receive pasted grid plates i5 therefrom, the lower ends of said rails being positioned adjacent to and above a crate i6 on conveyor i2. The slide rails |32 are supported by brackets |33 that are carried by the laterally adjustable plates i9 whereby said rails always are properly positioned with relation to the respective chains of conveyor The grid plates i5 are suspended from the rails |32 by the ears at the upper corners of said plates, and the inclination of said rails is such that the grid plates require to be propelled therealong. The chains of conveyor I3 are so positioned that the fingers 3| on the lower reaches thereof will engage the grid plates to urge them along the rails i 32, the plates being disposed between the ngers of each pair of the latter. The pivotal mounting of the leading finger of each pair enables it to tilt' and thus to pass over a grid plate, so that the latter is engaged and propelled. by the xedly mounted trailing fingers, the leading fingers thereafter preventing the grid plates from sliding forward more than a limited distance. Since movement of the grid plates under the impetus of conveyor stops as soon said plates are deposited upon the slide rails |32, it follows that the plates will be properly positioned thereon for the reason that neither side of the plates will move down the slideway until impelled by the conveyor vchains i3.

At the upper end of the oblique conveyor i3, the chains thereof are trained about respective sprockets |35, |35, the hubs of which are keyed for axial movement upon an idler shaft |35 that is journaled in end-brackets i3?, |37 mounted upon the upper part of framework l0 at opposite sides thereof. At the other end of conveyor i3 the chains thereof are mounted upon respective sprockets |38, |38 that are keyed for axial movement upon a driven shaft |39 that is journaled in end brackets |40, |40 mounted upon framework Hl at opposite sides thereof. Intermediate the sprockets |35, |38, the lower reach of the conveyor chain passes under respective idler sprockets lili, UH that are keyed for axial movement upon a shaft |42 that is journaled in bearing brackets |43 that are mounted upon a transversely extending member of the framework ID. For driving shaft |35, a gear SM, Figure 2, is mounted upon one end thereof, which gear is meshed with a gear |4411 mounted upon the upper countershaft 49.

The respective sprockets |35, |38, and HH of each pair of said sprockets are arranged to be moved toward and away from each other to vary the distance between the chains of conveyor I 3 and thereby adapt the latter for the conveying of grid plates |5 of different widths. To this end a shaft |45 is suitably journaled upon the framework lil beside and parallel to the shaft |35, said shaft |55 being formed with a right hand and a left hand screw thread M5, |45 upon which are threaded respective forked shipperarmshl?, liti that engage the hubs of the respective sprockets |35. One end cf shaft |45 is squared at |48 to receive a hand-crank (not shown) by means of which the shaft may bc manually rotated to effect lateral shifting of the sprockets |35. Similarly a shaft |58 is journaled on the framework Il) adjacent and parallel to the shaft |39, and formed with a right hand and left hand screw thread |5l, |5| upon which are threaded respective forked shipper arms |52, |52 that engage the hubs of the respective sprockets |38. In like manner a shaft |53 is journaled on the framework lll above and adjacent shaft M2 and formed with a right hand and left hand screw thread |54, |54 upon which are threaded forked shipper arms |55, |55 that engage the hubs of the respective sprockets li. The adjacent ends of the shafts |45, |50, and |53, on one side of the machine (the near side as viewed in Figures l and 7 of the drawings) are provided with respective sprockets |57, |58, and |59, and trained about said sprockets is a sprocket chain |55. At each side of sprocket |59 the chain |50 is engaged by adjustable idler sprockets 56|, 25| for maintaining the chain in taut condition, and for providing a greater angle of engagement with said sprocket |59. The arrangement is such that by manually rotating shaft M5 in one direction or the other, the respective conveyor chains of conveyor i3 may be moved from or toward each other.

As the grid plates i5 are moved downwardly along the inclined rails |32 by the conveyor i3, their lower margins are engaged by a driven sprocket chain |54 that serves to prevent pendulous movement of the plates, said chain being driven substantially at the same speed as the chains of conveyor |3. The lower margins of the plates engage the upper reach of said chain |54, which is downwardly inclined substantially parallel to said rails |32. The chain |54 is mounted upon a plurality of sprockets |55, |65, |57 and |53 respectively, said sprockets being arranged as is best shown in Figure 7. One sprocket, |65, alone is driven, the others being idlers. Sprocket |65 is mounted upon a shaft |59 that is journaled upon framework I0, said shaft carrying a gear |16 that is meshed with a gear that is mounted upon a short shaft ITE. The latter is journaled in a bearing bracket |13 that is carried upon framework IB, and has an end portion that projects from said bracket and carris fixed to the top of the framework |9and at their other ends they are attached to a vertically ries a" sprocket |14` on said projecting portion. Sprocket |14 is 'connected by a sprocket chain |15 with a sprocket |16 mounted upon the driven shaft |42 of conveyor I3, the arrangement being such .thatz chain .|94 is driven at determinate speed with relation tothe conveyor chains of 'and support the successive grid plates l5, as they move off 'said rails, by engagement withthefre` spective ears. on said plates, the upper margin of each of said members |19 being more steeply .sloped than the slopeA of the rails!32 so that as a grid plate moves onto said members it moves out of engagement with the fingers |3| of-the conveyor chains |3 by dropping below the latter, as is most clearly shown in Figure 9 and Figure 11. The ,terminal members |19 are concurrently movable relatively'of the Arails |32 and a crate I6 for the purpose ofdepositing grid plates kin the latter. To this end each terminal member is mounted upon the free, forward end of a lever |89 that is pivotallymountedat 8| -upon an angular bracket |82 secured to one of the laterally adjustable plates I9. The rear ends of the levers |89 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of respective links |83 lthat are pivotally supported at their upper ends upon opposite end portions of a `cross-rod |94. `The latter is carried by a lever |95 comprising three arms that engage said cross-rod at three points, said lever |85 being pivoted at |89 upon a pair of brackets |81, |81 on framework |9` that provide pivotal support for two of the arms'of the lever. At the opposite end of lever |85 from cross-rod |89 is carried a cam-roller |88 having operative engagement with a cam |89 on shaft |92, as is most clearly shown in Figure 13. The arrangement is such that the rail-terminals |19 are depressed once during each revolution of shaft |92. The cam .|89 is arranged on the shaft |92 so-as'` to depress the rail-terminals |19 immediately after the chain-fingers |3| have deposited a grid-plate; i5 thereon. VTo this end the number of teeth on sprockets |4| on shaft |42Nis the same as the number of links in each conveyor chain |3 betweenradjacent pairs of fingers |3I, so that each revolution of the shaft advances the chains i3 a sufficient distance to deliver a plate l5 tothe rail'terminals |19.

Cooperating with each rail-terminal |19 is a grid-plate stop |92 that projects laterally in front of an ear on a grid plate when the latter rests upon said rail-terminal, as shown in Figures 9 and 1v1. The stop plate |92 is pivotally mounted at |93 on a supporting plate |94 carried by bracket |82, and has its rear end portion positioned beneath aprojecting structure'on the adjacent end of lever |89. Thearrangement is such that the grid-'plate engaging ends of the plate stops |92 are elevated by the operation of levers A|99 as the latter'depress the rail terminals |'l9 to deposit a grid plate 'i5 in a cratev I9. This permits' the crate to be indexed or moved forwardly the distance of one notch |93 immediately aftera grid plate has been depositeditherein, said members |19 and |92 both being removed from in front of the last deposited gridplates at this time.

In order to maintain the grid-plates |5 in proper position as they move down the rails |32, a pair of rubber straps or bands |91, |91 are suspended above the inclined course of the gridplates in positionl to make frictional contact with the upper margins thereof. ."At one end the brake straps |91 are securedto a bar |98, Figure 1, that reciprocable plate stop |99 positioned immediately above the loading position of the plates. The

plate stop |99 is formed with a plurality of downwardly extending lugs 299, 299 that are adapted to engage the upper marginal portion 'of a gridplate |5 as the latter slides onto the rail-terminals |79, so as accurately to position said grid plate. The plate stop |99 is supported upon the lower end of a slide 29| that is mounted in a vertically `arranged slideway 292 carried by the framework i9. For reciprocating slide 29|, a chain 293 has one end connected thereto, the other end of said chain being connected to the free end of a rocker arm 29d that is mounted upon one end of a rock shaft 295, the latter being disposed longitudinally of theframework |9 and suitably journaled in bearing brackets thereon. At its opposite end the rock shaft 295 is provided with a lever arm 296 that is disposed parallel to` rocker arm 294, the free end of lever arm 299 being connected to the adjacent end of lever |85 through the agency of an adjustable link 291.l The arrangement is such that the plate stop |99 rises Whenever the lever |85 is operated to depress the rail-terminals I 19.

In addition to the grid-plate stops aforesaid which engage the upper marginal portion and the lateral ears ofthe grid-plates, another stop is provided for engaging the bottom marginal portion of said plates. This stop comprises a bridge member 2|9 that spans the course of the crates I6, above the latter, said bridge member being supported upon the respective guide rails 89. Supported by said bridge member is a downwardly extending arm 2| i, to the lower end of which is secured an elongate journal bracket 2 2 in which is journaled a'rock shaft 2|3. The bracket 2|2 is somewhat downwardly inclinedi'toward its yforward end, and the rock shaft 2 i3 projects a substantial distancel beyond said forward end. Fixed to the front end of rock shaft l2 I3 is a radially disposed finger or stop pin 2|4 that is disposed in vertical or in horizontal position, according to the angular position of the rock shaft. When the stop pin 2|4 is in vertical position, as most clearlyvshown in Figures9 and 10, it will extend between a grid-plate l5 suspended'r from the rail terminals |19 and a grid-plate in front of the latter, resting in the crate. The arrangement is such as to prevent pendulous movement vof the grid-plate on the rail terminals, so that said plate does not strike against the grid-plate in the crate.

The stop pin 2|4 is turned from vertical position to a horizontal position,' as indicated in broken lines in Figure 10, concurrently with'the depressing of the rail-terminals |19 and the elevation of the plate stop |99, so as to be clear l0f the last deposited grid-'plate as the crate |6.is.

indexed forwardly. For so turning said stop pin, the rear end of rock shaft 2|3 is provided with a short radial arm 2|@ that constitutes a counterweight for turning rock shaft `2|3 so as to move the pin 2 I4 from horizontal back to vertical position. l'or'turnir'ig the rock shaft so as-to swing the pin from 'vertical to horizontal position, said counterweight 2|9 is connected to the lower end of an encased Bowden cable 2|1, the latter eX- tending upwardly through the apparatus and having its upper end connected to the free end of a normally horizontal lever arm 2| 8. 'I'he latter has its opposite end pivotally mounted at 2|9, Figure 14, upon a lbracket 229 that is secured asV to and extends downwardly from a transversely extending portion of frame III. At an intermediate region of its `length the lever arm 2|8 rests upon the lever |85, forwardly of the fulcrum of the latter, the arrangement being such that when cam |89 operates lever |85, the latter lifts the free end of lever arm 2I8 and thus causes stop pin 2M to swing from vertical to horizontal position. When the free end of lever arm 2|8 descends to normal position, counterweight 2I6 rotates rock shaft 2l3 to return the stop pin 2M to vertical position. A stud 22| projecting radially from said rock shaft is so positioned as to abut a portion of bracket 2I2 so as to limit angular movement of the rock shaft under the pull Vof cable 2I'I.

The switch |26, that controls the operation of solenoid |25 is provided with an operating lever comprising an elongate rod 224, said rod being supported by a wire hook 225 secured to the framework I, the arrangement being such that when the rod is lifted it closes the switch and thereby effects operation of the solenoid. The rod 224 extends obliquely downwardly from the switch |26 into the path of the grid-plates I5 as the latter move down the inclined rails |32, and is arranged to be lifted by one of said grid-plates to effect operation of the solenoid. `The rod 2211 is somewhat ilexible so that it may be bent to proper position so as to be lifted in proper timed relation to the depositing of the grid-plates in a crate I6. Preferably the rod 224 is lifted to effect a forward indexing of the crate immediately after the cam |99 has depressed the rail terminals |19 and elevated the plate stop |99, to deposit a grid-plate in the crate, and While said rail terminals and rail stop are still in their respective depressed and elevated positions.

In the operation of the machine, the grid plates I5 are received, in succession, upon the chain conveyor II, and conveyed by the latter to the upper ends of the inclined rails |32, upon which they are deposed in position to be engaged by the fingers I3I of conveyor I3. The latter impells the grid plates down the inclined rails and deposits them upon rail terminals |19, against stop members |92, 299, and 2I4. The crates I6 are manually mounted upon the slideway plates 88, in engagement with the upstanding lugs I1 on the chains of conveyor |2, so as to be intermittently advanced by the latter in a course which carries them below the rail terminals |19. The crates I9 advance intermittently a distance equal to the spaces between adjacent notches |03 therein, which advance movement is the result of a grid-plate on inclined rails |32 operating solenoid |25 through the agency of switch I 26 and lever-rod 224 of the latter. Cam |89 on shaft |42 comes into operation immediately prior to the advance movement of the crates for the purpose of depressing rail terminals |19 so as to deposit a grid-plate in a crate, and for moving the plate stops |92, 20E), and 2|4 to positions whereat they do not obstruct the movement of the last-deposited grid plate as the crate subsequently is advanced.

The operation is continuous and substantially automatic, manual labor being required only for the purpose of mounting empty crates in the machine and for removing the filled crates therefrom. The machine effects economy of time and labor and achieves the other advantages set out in the foregoing statement of objects.

The modified embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1'7 comprises a crate IBa that in most respects is similar to the crates IB,'but which is adapted to receive grid-plates |5a that are wider than the grid plates I5. The bottom portion of the crate Ia is identical with crate I6 so that mechanism of conveyor I2 will accommodate either crate without adjustment. The upper marginal portion of crate Ilia, which includes the notches |03, is wider than the corresponding portion of crate I6, so that guide plates 92, 93 require to be laterally adjusted when crates Ilia are used. Crate IIa also is provided with side cleats, such as shown at 221, to facilitate handling of the crate. Figure 17 also shows the laterally adjustable plate I9 and mechanism carried thereby in position to accommodate the wide grid-plates |5a. The sprocket |38 of conveyor I3 also is shown in laterally adjusted position.

Other modification may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a crating machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of spaced, parallel, inclined rails adapted pendulously to support articles by engagement with ears projecting laterally from the upper corners thereof, means engageable with said ears for moving said articles, in succession, along said rails to the lower end thereof, means comprising an endless driven member engageable with the lower margin of the said articles, as they move along said rails, for preventing pendulous movement thereof, and

means at the lower end of said rails for depositing said articles, in succession, in a crate positioned thereat.

2. In 'a crating machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of spaced, parallel, inclined rails adapted pendulously to support articles by engagement with ears projecting laterally from the upper corners thereof, means engageable with one face of each article to move the latter along said rails to the lower end thereof, a ilexible strap frictionally engaging the upper margin of the articles in opposition to said article-removing means for holding the articles in engagement with the latter, and means at the lower end of said rails for depositing the articles, in succession, in a crate positioned thereat.

3. A machine for mounting grid-plates in crates, said machine comprising a pair of spaced, parallel, inclined rails adapted pendulously to support grid-plates by engagement with ears projecting laterally from the upper corners thereof, means engageable with said ears for moving the plates, in succession, along said rails to the lower end thereof, means moving with the plates and engaging the lower margin thereof for preventing pendulous movement of the plates, and means frictionally engaging the upper margin of the plates and opposing the movement of translation of the plates for holding the plates in engagement with the plate-moving means.

4. A machine for mounting grid plates in crates, said machine comprising a pair of spaced, parallel, inclined rails `adapted pendulously to support grid-plates by engagement with ears projecting laterally fromv the upper corners thereof, respective driven conveyor sprocket chains each having a reach disposed above and parallel to said rails, said chains carrying spaced fingers engageable with grid-plates on the rails for moving said grid-plates, in succession, to the lower end of said rails, terminal portions at the lower ends of said rails for receiving and supporting grid-plates in a position below the path of the conveyor lingers, and means for depressing said rail terminals in timed relation to the arrival of successive grid-plates'thereon, so as to deposit the latter in a crate therebeneath, said means comprising a series of levers connected to the rail terminals, and a cam on a rotatable member of the conveyor for operating said levers.

5. A combination as deiined in claim 4 including a rotatable shaft carrying the cam that operates the rail terminals and a pair of sprockets that engage the conveyor chains, each sprocket having the same number of teeth as there are links in the respective sprocket chains between adjacent fingers thereon. y

6. A combination as dened in claim 4 including stop mechanism for accurately positioning a grid plate on the rail terminals, said stop mechanism being operatively connected to the cam and lever mechanism so as/to move out of obstructing relation to the grid plate when therail-terproximity to the crate-supporting means as to position the plates within but out of engagement with the crate, and means for releasing the grid plates so that'they drop vertically into engagement with the crate;

8. A combination as defined in claim 7 including means `Within the crate positionable between the last-deposited grid plate therein and the succeeding grid plate,l and adaptedto engage the lower extremity ofthe latter for preventing pendulous movement of the grid beforeit is released.

9. A machine lfor mounting grid `plates in a cratehaving open top and ends, said machine comprising means supporting the crate and pe- `riodically effecting longitudinal movement thereof, means for supporting'a succession of grid plates in vertical position above a crate, means for imparting an oblique downward movement of translation to the plates, transversely with relation to the plane of the plates and longitudinally with relation to the. crate, said means being Vin such proximity to the crate-supporting means as to position the plates within but out ofj engage- 'f for moving the stop pin out of engagement with the grid plate concurrently .with the release thereof. f

HORACE D. STEVENS. 

